COVID-19

Slogan Encourages Everyone to ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy'

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/09/2020 - 2:00am

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts unveiled a new marketing slogan to promote physical distancing of citizens while encouraging them to maintain social connections.

“Stay Home, Stay Healthy and Stay Connected” is the campaign message for the governor stressed to kick off Public Health Week in Nebraska last Monday at a news conference at the state Capitol.

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State Officials Fear Pandemic Could Fuel More Child Abuse

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 04/09/2020 - 1:00am

Lincoln – Nebraska officials are concerned the closure of schools, widespread job losses and social isolation could be driving an uptick in child abuse cases, the state’s child welfare administrator said last Tuesday.

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Outreach Efforts Go Beyond English

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:34pm

Lincoln – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts is calling for more messaging to non-English speakers on the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHI St. Francis is advertising on radio and billboards in Spanish, Ricketts said at a news conference at the state Capitol last Wednesday.

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MRCs, CERTs Remain Prepared

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:34pm

Lincoln – The Medical Reserve Corps is working with Department of Health and Human Services to help meet staff shortages in long-care facilities. The Eastern Nebraska MRC has been active in providing behavioral health services for Three Rivers, Douglas County and Sarpy County Health Departments; and is helping Three Rivers with contact tracing.

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Follow Tips to Say Safe From Zoom, Microsoft Team Hacks

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:34pm

Lincoln – Due to COVID-19, an increasing number of individuals and organizations are turning to communications platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams for online meetings. In turn, malicious cyber actors are hijacking online meetings that are not secured with passwords or that use unpatched software.

Here are some tips for defending against online meeting hijacking:

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Cities Cancel Spring Cleanups

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:33pm

Omaha Public Works Department officials have canceled Omaha’s spring cleanups due to the spread of COVID-19.

“This was a difficult decision, but made in the best interest of the community,” the department said in a statement. “Our decision was made with input from neighborhood leaders and contractors.”

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Des Moines Plans Online Class to Finish 2019-20 School Year

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:33pm

Des Moines, Iowa – Officials at Iowa’s largest school district have announced plans to complete the school year without having students return to the classroom.

Des Moines Public Schools started teaching courses online today for seniors. Other high school students will begin online courses April 20 and students from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade will do so starting April 27.

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Omaha Chamber Survey Finds Companies Putting Staff First

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:33pm

Eighty-five percent of Omaha businesses say their top concern related to COVID-19 is “direct financial impact,” according to a survey by the Greater Omaha Chamber.

Respondents’ No. 2 concern was “potential recession” (54%), followed by “ability to retain staff” (29%), based on emails gathered in late March from 116 respondents.

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TAGG Offers Texting Platform to Donate to Local Businesses

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 04/08/2020 - 9:32pm

Waterloo – Together A Greater Good, aka TAGG, is offering a free text-to-give platform and is asking people to consider making a contribution to help their favorite local restaurants and retailers suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.